Team-Managed Vs. Company-Managed Projects

Jira, a widely used project management tool, offers various configurations to accommodate the diverse needs of teams and organizations. Two primary project types in Jira are Team-Managed (formerly known as next-gen) and Company-Managed (formerly known as classic) projects. This blog post delves into the nuances of both types, providing examples to help you understand which might be best suited for your team’s needs.

Team-Managed Projects

Team-Managed projects are designed to be more flexible and user-friendly, empowering individual teams to take control of their own Jira projects. They are ideal for teams looking for autonomy and a simplified setup process.

Characteristics:

• Autonomy: Teams can create and manage their own projects without reliance on or impact to other teams.
• Simplicity: Easier to set up and manage, with less complex configurations.
• Independence: Each project has its own settings, including workflows, fields, and issue types, which are independent of other projects.

Example Scenario:

A small development team is working on a new app. They choose a Team-Managed project to quickly set up their board, customize their workflow as the project evolves, and manage issues without needing global settings or admin intervention.

Company-Managed Projects

Company-Managed projects are more structured and consistent, suitable for organizations requiring uniformity across various teams. They are ideal for larger, more complex environments where administration and standardization are critical.

Characteristics:

• Standardization: Offers a uniform way of working across multiple teams with shared configurations.
• Control: Admins have greater control over project settings and can enforce certain standards and processes.
• Scalability: Better suited for scaling across large teams and complex projects due to shared configurations and visibility.

Example Scenario:

A multinational corporation with multiple teams working on different aspects of a large software suite opts for a Company-Managed project. This allows for standardized workflows, fields, and permissions across all teams, ensuring consistency and alignment with the organization’s overall project management approach.

Key Differences

• Flexibility vs. Standardization: Team-Managed projects offer more flexibility and are easier for individual teams to control, while Company-Managed projects emphasize standardization and control across teams.
• Set-Up and Configuration: Team-Managed projects are quicker to set up with simplified configurations, whereas Company-Managed projects offer more in-depth configuration options but may require more time to set up.
• Administration: In Team-Managed projects, team leads often administer their own settings, while Company-Managed projects usually require a Jira admin to manage global settings and permissions.

Choosing Between Team-Managed and Company-Managed

• Team Size and Complexity: Smaller or autonomous teams might prefer the flexibility of Team-Managed projects, while larger organizations or complex projects may require the structure of Company-Managed projects.
• Administrative Resources: Consider whether your team has the administrative support needed for a Company-Managed project or if the autonomy of a Team-Managed project is more appropriate.
• Need for Standardization: If your organization requires strict adherence to certain workflows or standards, Company-Managed projects are likely the better choice.

Conclusion

Both Team-Managed and Company-Managed projects have their place in Jira, and understanding the differences is key to utilizing Jira effectively. Smaller or more autonomous teams may lean towards the agility and independence of Team-Managed projects. In contrast, larger organizations or those needing more uniformity might opt for the standardized approach of Company-Managed projects. Ultimately, the choice depends on your team’s size, structure, and specific project management needs. By considering the characteristics and examples provided, you can make an informed decision on which project type will best support your team’s success in Jira.

Bonus Tip

The primary method to discern whether you’re working within a team-managed or company-managed project is by checking the bottom of the left-hand menu in your project interface. There, you will find an indication stating either:

• You’re in a company-managed project

• You’re in a team-managed project